How to Block a Computer From Using Our Wireless

You can ban a given computer from your wireless network.

When an unauthorized user joins your wireless network, he takes network resources -- bandwidth, response time -- away from legitimate users in addition to the possible legal ramifications of his actions. Most wireless routers include Medium Access Control address filtering, a security mechanism aimed at keeping unauthorized users out. You can configure your wireless network to refuse service to a given computer by blacklisting its MAC address.

Things You'll Need

• Ethernet cable

Instructions

1. Connect your computer to a numbered port on the back of the wireless router, using the Ethernet cable.

2. Log in to the computer.

3. Launch a Web browser on the computer. Direct it to the router's configuration utility. The utility is listening at a specific Web address that depends on the router. For example, if your router is a Linksys WRT54GS, navigate to address "192.168.1.1".

4. Bring up the configuration menu for MAC address filtering. For example, on a WRT54GS, click on "Wireless," then on "Wireless MAC Filter."

5. Type the MAC address you want banned from the router into the configuration utility. For example, on a WRT54GS, select "Enable" for the "MAC Filter" feature and select "Prevent PCs listed from accessing the wireless." Click on "Edit MAC Filter List." A new window will come up. Click on an empty field and type the MAC address of the computer you want to block, then click "Save Settings." The window will close. Click "Save Settings" again on the main browser window. At that point, your router will be fully configured to deny any request from that computer to join the network.

Resources

• Retrevo: User Guide for Linksys WRT54GS